If you haven’t noticed spring is here both technically, with the passage of the Vernal Equinox, and practically, with the arrival of warmer weather. In hindsight, it is clear that 2020 was a year of discontent. Hateful political voices continued into the early weeks of 2020, only to be followed by the COVID pandemic. And, as if we needed to be reminded, the media was there hammering both into the ground, over and over again – a figurative railroad spike hit time and again into our hearts. Stay home, mask-up, don’t’ mask-up, no socializing, no eating out, keep the kids home from school. If it was fun, it was out.

Tom Paine said it right, though the setting was different and more ominous. Even so, now is the time to embrace his rebellious attitude, just like we did all those centuries’ ago. Let’s fight the tyranny of COVID that has been thrust upon us. The media will not, in the end, have its way, whether it's politics or COVID, as long as our community stands united as Paine pleaded. Churchill also encapsulated our feelings in yet another trying time, when he said we’ll fight on whatever the costs, wherever necessary until, "…in God’s time" we are liberated once again - but this time it's the scourge of COVID we fight.

Our motorcycle community has endured throughout these times. We rode when we could. We gathered at Sturgis and wherever possible. Now, we see the light at the end of the tunnel – it’s lighting the way. Our winter of discontent is ending. We’ve had enough. It’s time to get out and ride, to get vaccinated, and enjoy the company of our family, friends, and neighbors. While the grass here in South Dakota is still in winter’s hibernation, it will turn green in a matter of weeks. No matter where you live - from Michigan to Texas, from North Carolina to California - it’s time to take back our freedom in the best way possible. It’s time to ride!